Daniil Medvedev is set to face Kamil Majchrzak in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Brisbane International, taking place at the Pat Rafter Arena on January 9. As the top seed, Medvedev enters this matchup with confidence, having performed exceptionally well throughout the tournament. He has lost only 10 games in two matches, easily dispatching Márton Fucsovics and Frances Tiafoe, the latter of whom he faced without conceding a single break point. His powerful serve and relentless return game have been pivotal to his success thus far.
Kamil Majchrzak, on the other hand, arrives in the quarterfinals as a lucky loser and has gained considerable momentum after a dramatic journey through the tournament. He managed to save three match points against Reilly Opelka, overcoming a barrage of 44 aces and winning three tiebreaks along the way. This marks his first appearance in an ATP quarterfinal since April 2025, when he competed in Marrakech.
In terms of tactics, Medvedev has a distinct advantage with his elite return positioning, which effectively neutralizes opponents’ first-strike abilities. His serve efficiency and improved patterns of play, reflective of his evolution under coach Thomas Johansson, allow him to wear down rivals through extended rallies on hard courts. Majchrzak’s key challenge will be maintaining confidence and composure after his tense tiebreak victories, focusing on achieving a high first-serve percentage to avoid prolonged exchanges that overwhelmingly favor Medvedev.
As the match commences, fans should pay close attention to Medvedev’s return games. A strong start could quickly diminish Majchrzak’s margin for error. Additionally, the length of rallies will be crucial; longer exchanges typically benefit Medvedev, while Majchrzak must exploit his status as the underdog to play freely and execute his shots cleanly.
Predictions favor Medvedev to win in straight sets, with his proven ability to absorb pressure and dominate on returns likely to outlast Majchrzak’s resistance. The match is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM GMT, 5:00 AM ET, and 8:30 PM AEST, offering thrilling tennis action for fans across the globe.